Stephane won the title of Pioneer of the Month in January.
She tells us about her company Milk and Honey, her career highlights, and also offers some words of advice to Pioneers looking to make more of the VMP community.
1. Tell us a little about Milk and Honey.
I started Milk & Honey when I was at University in 2009 and last November, I decided to let people know it was there. I spent the first year building up PR contacts so we would be able to get content, and now we have launched, we have an audience, strong content, and good relationships with the industries we like to cover.
The idea behind it is to empower, uplift and motivate young girls, giving them inspirational news. It’s all about Girl Power, but we do have guys popping in for some good advice. There are a team of writers from London, Canada and Cardiff who contribute and write a range of heart-felt articles from love, break- ups and sex, to supporting our charity, The A21 Campaign.This year we aimed to really support and push the work of this charity as they protest against human trafficking. It made sense, being that we are aimed at females, to really let other young women know that modern day slavery does exist and is very much affecting Europe.
2. What made you join the VMP community?
My mentor informed me about the site, she is also signed-up, and she informed me of a competition to go to SA with Richard Branson and meet his grandkids out there. It was also just after the launch of the new Milk & Honey website, so I used VMP as a way to get people to check out the site and the articles and it really worked. It was great to knock heads with other Pioneers about things they have too have ventured into.
3. What have you gained or learnt from being an active VMP community member?
That there are a lot of young and old hard working people, who have followed a vision or passion, and who are working hard to make something of it. It’s inspiring and motivating.
4. Are there any Pioneers in particular that you recommend your fellow Pioneers connect with?
Yes! Firstly my mentor, Matilda Egere Cooper, who runs the Culture Club, then a young man, Anthony Ogunbawale, who is the founder of Emerging Students Magazine; he featured Milk & Honey in their first issue OUT! ’The Shakers Issue’. Everyone I’ve met on here is super cool! These are the two I’ve worked closely with.
‘…I used VMP as a way to get people to check out the site and the articles and it really worked. It was great to knock heads with other Pioneers about things they have too have ventured into.’
5. What have been your career highlights so far?
There have been so many, that’s the great thing about my job; I get the chance to really put the work in and reap the rewards. A lot of people may think presenters just turn up on set and do the interview, and that maybe the case when you’re working for a mainstream network, but for me, I am involved in the research. I pitch to PR, follow it up and then have 15 mins to convey an interview that I pray engages the audience. The highlight… I love meeting new people from all walks of life, whether they are known to the world or not. Hearing life experiences and having people open up to me about their personal journeys is probably the most exciting highlight overall, but moments like working on BAFTA with the production company, or meeting Tyler Perry and Janet Jackson, to even taking the words of wisdom from Bishop TD Jakes. The list goes on, these are some of the best moments thus far, but the best is still yet to come…
6. Which area of buisness do you need most support in? We’ll do a shout-out for you.
Let people know that Milk & Honey is there. We have such an amazing team of strong writers who produce great features and we want the world to know we exist and spread that sweet juice to everyone.
7. We’ve been asking Pioneers if they’re addicted to social media. Could you resist the temptation of social media for 1 month?
No way. I love blogging, I love tweeting, and I tolerate Facebook! But yes, it would be hard. There are so many big world changing moments that I have learnt of through social media, from the death of my childhood idol, Whitney Houston, and the death of MJ back in 2007, to the first pictures of Blue Ivy Carter, or Obama breaking out into song to Al Green. It keeps me in the know, more so than the press itself.
8. What are your thoughts on the Pioneer-led campaign ‘Youth Investment Fund?’
I think it is an awesome idea. Having been to Uni already and graduated, I would have loved to have had this option and think that the government should invest in this generation more. There are many young people running successful businesses now – VMP is a clear example of that. Many of these businesses have no financial backing, so imagine how far they could go if there was that extra support. It would be amazing! Find out more.
9. Do you have any words of advice for Pioneers looking to get more involved in the VMP community?
Get involved, get plugged in. You have nothing to lose, only to gain! Go for it, join the family!
10. Anything else you’d like to add?
The sky is the limit, as cliche as it may sound. There is nothing you can’t do. Run with an idea, if it fails, start over and try something else, because one day that vision, dream or little idea could not only change your life, but the lives of those around you. That’s the amazing thing – knowing that we all have the power to influence a life near or far.
Run with the dream or vision you have.
Visit the Milk and Honey website
A good read and congrats on the Pioneer of the Month prize! – Well deserved
Thank you Alastair x